NFC quarterback Kirk Cousins (8), of the Washington Redskins, enters the field before the first half of the NFL Pro Bowl football game Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

NFC quarterback Kirk Cousins (8), of the Washington Redskins, enters the field before the first half of the NFL Pro Bowl football game Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

If Kirk Cousins changes teams this season, he’d like to change coasts.

Washington’s quarterback would prefer to be traded to the 49ers, if he doesn’t remain with his current employer in 2017, ESPN reported.

Cousins, 28, spent the first two seasons of his career with 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, who worked with him as Washington’s offensive coordinator from 2012-13.

Washington is expected to use the $23.9 million franchise tag on Cousins by the deadline of 1 p.m. Wednesday. However, Cousins and Washington aren’t close to a long-term contract agreement and it would be prohibitively expensive to place the franchise tag on Cousins for a third straight season in 2018.

If Cousins stayed put this season, Washington would risk him leaving as a free agent next year and receiving just a third-round compensatory pick in return. According to ESPN, Cousins wouldn’t block a trade to another team besides the 49ers, but it would take some convincing for him to sign a long-term deal with another organization at this point.

Last year, Cousins ranked third in the NFL in passing yards (4,917) and seventh in passer rating (97.2). Cousins, a 2012 fourth-round pick, has thrown for 9,083 yards with 54 touchdowns and 23 interceptions since 2015.

Washington went 8-7-1 last year. The only other QBs on its roster are Colt McCoy and Nate Sudfeld, a 2016 sixth-round pick.